Physicist salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Physicists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $224,160 a year ($107.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $138,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $266,300 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $172,250. Pay here is 6% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $210,990. There are 0.07 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $211,220, close to the median.
Pay range for physicists in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $138,010 | $66.35 |
| 25th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Median | $224,160 | $107.77 |
| 75th percentile | $241,360 | $116.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $266,300 | $128.03 |
| Average (mean) | $211,220 | $101.55 |
Half of physicists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $18,680 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,340 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,621.54 |
| Weekly | $4,310.77 |
| Hourly | $107.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physicist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $164,850 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
See Physicist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemist | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $76,410 | $36.74 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $128,750 | $61.90 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,510 | $44.48 |
| Biological Technician | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| School Psychologist | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,630 | $41.17 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $84,740 | $40.74 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $50,070 | $24.07 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physicist make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for physicists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $224,160 a year, or $107.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $138,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $266,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of physicists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $266,300 a year. The top 25% earn $241,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $138,010 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $195,190 or less.
How many physicists work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 80 physicists are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.